Oxygen Builder Review 2025: A Page Builder That Gives You Complete WordPress Control

Looking for a WordPress page builder that doesn’t limit your design freedom? Oxygen Builder stands out from typical drag-and-drop tools by giving web designers and developers unprecedented control over their WordPress sites. In this Oxygen builder review, we’ll examine Oxygen’s unique approach to visual editing, compare its performance advantages against other popular builders, and break down its learning curve to help you decide if it’s the right tool for your next project.

What Is Oxygen Builder?

Oxygen Builder stands apart in the WordPress ecosystem as a comprehensive solution that goes beyond traditional page building functionality. Unlike many alternatives, Oxygen offers a complete website building experience with advanced capabilities and a unique approach to WordPress design.

More than just a page builder – a complete website builder

Oxygen provides a fully-featured builder environment designed for optimal workflow. The interface is thoughtfully organized into four main sections:

1. Top Bar – Contains selectors for different panels and important options for adjusting your design within Oxygen.
2. Left Sidebar – Houses critical panels including the “Add Elements” panel and Structure Panel.
3. Right Sidebar – Displays the Properties panel and other important controls.
4. Canvas – Shows your live design where you can perform direct edits and see changes in real-time.

The builder offers extensive controls through its Top Bar menu, including access to the Design Library, Preferences, Plugin Settings, and more. Users can easily navigate between different elements with the Quick Navigator, implement responsive designs with dedicated controls, and track changes with undo/redo functionality.

Replaces your WordPress theme entirely

What truly separates Oxygen from traditional page builders is that it completely replaces your WordPress theme. Rather than working within the constraints of an existing theme, Oxygen takes over the entire rendering process. This means you can access Oxygen’s builder from posts, pages, or custom post types directly by clicking the “Edit in Oxygen” button.

When viewing your WordPress site on the front end, the Oxygen menu item in the admin bar provides options to edit not just the current page, but also any templates, headers, or footers used on that page – demonstrating its comprehensive approach to site building.

Pricing structure and value proposition

While the reference content doesn’t provide specific pricing details, Oxygen clearly positions itself as a high-value solution by offering capabilities that extend beyond standard page builders. Its value proposition centers on being a complete website builder rather than just a page builder.

Oxygen also offers compatibility with other popular page builders like Elementor, Visual Composer, and Beaver Builder, allowing users to leverage multiple tools if desired – adding flexibility to its overall value proposition.

Pricing table

Let’s break down what it costs to get your hands on Oxygen Builder:

Plan	Price	Sites	Features
Basic	$129 (one-time)	Unlimited	Core builder, visual editor, responsive design tools
WooCommerce	$149 (one-time)	Unlimited	Everything in Basic + WooCommerce integration
Agency	$179 (one-time)	Unlimited	Everything + Gutenberg Block builder & client billing

What makes Oxygen’s pricing stand out is that one-time payment. No renewals. No subscriptions. Buy once, use forever.

Compare that with Elementor or Divi where you’re paying yearly, and you’ll see why developers are flocking to Oxygen.

What’s the Catch?

Nothing’s free in this world. While the pricing seems amazing upfront, keep these things in mind:

1. Updates aren’t guaranteed forever (though they’ve been reliable so far)
2. Support is community-focused rather than premium 1-on-1
3. The learning curve is steeper than subscription builders

Which Plan Should You Choose?

If you’re just building regular WordPress sites, the Basic plan has everything you need.

Running online stores? The WooCommerce plan is worth the extra $40.

Building sites for clients? The Agency plan pays for itself with the client billing feature alone.

The beauty is you can always upgrade later by just paying the difference. No pressure to make the perfect decision right now.

Key Features of Oxygen Builder

A. Full Control Over Website Design

Oxygen Builder offers pixel-perfect design capabilities that meet WordPress power. The builder provides complete creative freedom, allowing users to translate their concepts to the web with minimum difficulty. Unlike other builders, Oxygen gives you a one-to-one CSS properties panel and a class-first workflow that makes it feel like coding without the hassle. This level of control means edits that previously took hours can often be achieved in minutes, with significantly more flexibility.

B. Clean Code Output

One of the standout features frequently mentioned by professionals is Oxygen’s ability to produce incredibly lightweight code. The builder creates a clean HTML structure without unnecessary divs or bloat. This clean code approach ensures optimal website performance—something that’s crucial for both user experience and search engine optimization. As one WordPress professional noted, “Oxygen is slick, produces incredibly lightweight code… It’s a developer’s dream.”

C. Template System with Inheritance Capabilities

Oxygen includes a robust template system that enhances workflow efficiency. Users can access templates through the Design Library, which provides pre-built components and layouts. The template inheritance system allows changes made to parent templates to automatically apply to all child templates, saving significant time during development and updates. This system is particularly valuable when building multiple pages that share common elements.

D. Dynamic Data Integration

The builder features tight integration with Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), allowing for powerful dynamic data implementation. This integration enables developers to create content-rich websites where clients can easily update content without affecting the design structure. This capability is especially valuable for client projects and e-commerce sites, as noted by users who have used Oxygen for WooCommerce stores.

E. Flexbox-based Layouts

Oxygen utilizes a flexbox-based layout system that provides precise control over element positioning and responsiveness. The builder includes comprehensive responsive controls that allow designers to modify layouts for different screen sizes. Through the responsive controls in the top bar, users can preview their designs at various breakpoints and make specific adjustments for each viewport width, ensuring websites look perfect on any device.

Understanding Oxygen’s Structure

A. Templates vs Pages vs Reusable Parts

When working with Oxygen Builder, understanding the difference between templates, pages, and reusable parts is crucial for efficient website design.

Templates in Oxygen allow you to apply the same design to multiple pieces of content, creating consistency across your website. Oxygen offers three main template types:

1. Single Templates: These apply to individual content pieces like posts, pages, or custom post types. Single templates ensure a consistent look for all your blog posts, WooCommerce products, or any custom post type entries.
2. Archive Templates: Unlike singles, archives aggregate multiple content items of a similar kind. These could be collections of blog posts from a specific month, WooCommerce products under a particular category, or other grouped content.
3. Special Templates: These include templates for specific functions like Search Results or 404 pages.

B. Template Priority and Inheritance

Oxygen uses a sophisticated priority system to determine which template displays when multiple templates could apply to the same content. This is controlled through:

• Template Order: When two or more templates meet the criteria for a page, Oxygen uses numerical priority to determine which one displays. The template with the highest number takes precedence. For example, a template with a priority of 40 will display before one with a priority of 20.
• Locations and Conditions: To control where templates appear, Oxygen uses:
  • Locations: Broad categories defining where a template may be applied
  • Conditions: Specific circumstances determining when the template will be displayed

This combination gives you precise control over template application throughout your site.

C. Visual Editor Interface

The Oxygen visual editor provides a user-friendly interface for creating and managing templates. You can access the template management system by logging into your WordPress dashboard and navigating to Oxygen ＞ Templates.

From this interface, you can create new templates, edit existing ones, and specify their locations and conditions. The visual editor allows you to design templates for different content types without needing to code, though Oxygen is particularly appreciated by those who prefer having more freedom and control in their design process.

The interface makes it straightforward to create complex template hierarchies while maintaining a clear overview of how your site’s structure is organized.

Content Creation Process

Building templates from scratch

When creating websites with Oxygen Builder, building templates from scratch gives you complete control over your site’s structure. Start by creating a Base Template that will contain your header and footer. Navigate to the Templates menu and select “Catch All” under the Other category to make this your default template.

Within the Base Template, use the Header Builder tool to create a customized header with various rows and styling options for different device sizes. For the footer, create a standard section and rename it (e.g., “site-footer”) for easier styling. You can add PHP code using Oxygen’s Code Block element for dynamic content like a copyright notice:

Copyright © ＜?php echo date('Y'); ?＞ ＜a href="https://yoursite.com" class="footer-link"＞Your Site Name＜/a＞

Finally, add a main content section with an Inner Content element to display your post content. This completes your Base Template which other templates can inherit from.

Using premade websites and designs

Oxygen offers a library of premade websites and designs to jumpstart your development process. After installing Oxygen, you’re presented with a welcome screen asking if you want to start with a premade website or a blank installation. For beginners, starting with a premade website and customizing it is often recommended.

The Oxygen editor includes access to an extensive design library with various layouts and components. On the Library tab in settings, you can control access to design sets, including both Oxygen-supplied designs and third-party design sets if you’ve purchased them.

To use these designs, simply navigate to the add elements panel in the Oxygen editor and browse through available components. You can also duplicate existing templates as a starting point, which saves significant time compared to building everything from scratch.

Creating dynamic layouts with queries

Oxygen excels at creating dynamic layouts with its powerful query capabilities. The Easy Posts element is particularly useful for creating archive pages or blog layouts. This element comes with numerous preset layouts that you can customize to your needs.

To implement dynamic data in your templates, Oxygen provides several methods:

1. Add elements from the “WordPress Dynamic Data” section in the left panel
2. Insert a Text element and use the dynamic data button in the formatting options
3. Use a Code Block element with WordPress or PHP functions

For post archives, you can create template variations by duplicating your single post template and modifying it. The Easy Posts element allows you to control the loop display with customizable PHP templates. You can adjust the post meta display, featured image placement, and overall layout directly in the editor.

For proper testing, be sure to check your dynamic layouts with real content at different device sizes. Common issues like images overflowing containers can be fixed with responsive CSS, such as:

img {
  vertical-align: top;
  height: auto;
  max-width: 100%;
}

With these techniques, you can create sophisticated dynamic layouts that automatically adjust to your content, providing a seamless experience for your visitors.

Pros and Cons Analysis

Powerful design capabilities and flexibility

Oxygen Builder stands out for its exceptional design capabilities, offering users complete control over their website’s layout and design elements. Unlike many competitors, Oxygen allows you to build your site exactly as you envision it, whether you’re creating a custom website or an eCommerce store. The visual editor makes it easy to tweak and refine each section of your site, while the integrated CSS and HTML editor provides additional flexibility for developers who want to implement custom code. This level of creative freedom is particularly valuable for those who need to customize even the smallest design details.

Lifetime license with unlimited sites

One of Oxygen Builder’s most appealing advantages is its pricing structure. While many WordPress page builders charge recurring annual fees, Oxygen offers a lifetime license option. This can be a significant cost-saving benefit, especially for developers and agencies planning to build multiple websites. The lifetime pricing model means you pay once and can use the builder on unlimited sites, making it a worthwhile long-term investment for professionals who work on numerous web projects.

Steeper learning curve than competitors

Despite its powerful features, Oxygen Builder isn’t the most user-friendly option available. The builder has a steeper learning curve compared to alternatives like Elementor or Divi. Its complex user interface and developer-centric approach can be overwhelming for beginners or those new to WordPress. As noted in the reference material, “Oxygen Builder is powerful, but you will not find it as easy to use as other page building tools. So it will require patience and effort.” This learning curve makes it less ideal for complete beginners or users seeking a simple, intuitive builder.

Potential compatibility issues with some plugins

Another drawback of Oxygen Builder is potential compatibility issues with certain WordPress plugins. The reference content specifically mentions that Oxygen is “not compatible with all plugins you may want to use.” This limitation can be frustrating if you rely on specific plugins for your website’s functionality. Before committing to Oxygen, it’s important to verify that it works well with the essential plugins you need for your project.

Limited client-friendliness

Oxygen Builder is not particularly client-friendly compared to other page builders. The reference content describes it as “not client friendly as with other builders” and even refers to it as “a page builder for coders who hate page builders.” This aspect makes it less suitable for projects where clients need to make their own edits or maintain their websites without technical assistance. If you’re building sites for clients who require an easy-to-use backend for future updates, Oxygen might not be the best choice unless you plan to handle all maintenance yourself.

Who Should Use Oxygen Builder?

A. Developers and agencies seeking complete control

Oxygen Builder is primarily designed for developers and agencies who need complete creative freedom over their websites. The builder’s developer-focused approach provides advanced tools and features that give users full control over design and functionality. As mentioned in user testimonials, developers particularly appreciate Oxygen’s “one-to-one CSS properties panel, clean HTML structure, and class-first workflow” which makes it feel like coding without the hassle.

Agency owners find exceptional value in Oxygen, with one stating that “what Oxygen brings to the table for agencies is just unheard of.” The builder excels for professionals who want to implement custom code, need advanced design options, and require dynamic data integration – all features that developers prioritize in their workflow.

B. Users comfortable with a learning curve

Oxygen Builder is not ideal for complete beginners due to its steeper learning curve. The platform is better suited for experienced users who either already understand web development principles or are willing to invest time learning the system. While powerful, Oxygen’s interface is more complex compared to some other page builders, which can make it challenging for non-developers.

Those who will thrive with Oxygen are users willing to tackle its advanced features to gain the benefits of complete customization. As one web designer noted, “edits that used to take me hours I can now often achieve in minutes, with much more flexibility and control” – but this efficiency comes after mastering the platform’s learning curve.

C. Website builders looking for long-term value

Oxygen Builder offers exceptional long-term value for website professionals through its lifetime license option. Unlike many WordPress page builders that charge annual fees, Oxygen provides a one-time payment option that becomes increasingly cost-effective over time, especially for those building multiple websites.

Website creators focused on performance will find Oxygen particularly valuable. The builder is known for generating clean, lightweight code that contributes to faster website load times. This performance optimization is crucial for improving SEO rankings and user experience. As one professional noted, Oxygen “produces incredibly lightweight code” making it ideal for those prioritizing site speed and optimization in their long-term website strategy.

For WordPress professionals handling multiple client projects, Oxygen represents significant value as it can be used on unlimited sites with “no extra fees” for client websites, providing an excellent return on investment for agencies and freelancers.

Conclusion – Oxygen Builder Review

Oxygen Builder stands out as a powerful WordPress page builder that offers exceptional design control and flexibility. With its unique component-based approach, comprehensive features, and clean code output, it provides an ideal solution for developers and design professionals seeking precise control over their WordPress sites.

While Oxygen does have a steeper learning curve compared to other page builders, the investment in time pays off with the ability to create highly customized, fast-loading websites. Whether you’re a developer looking for granular control or a designer aiming for pixel-perfect layouts, Oxygen Builder delivers the tools needed to bring your vision to life without the bloat common in other page builders. If you value performance, design freedom, and clean code, Oxygen is definitely worth considering for your next WordPress project.